Chancellor's housing infrastructure fund for Purfleet-on-Thames

Leader of Thurrock Council Rob Gledhill will be speaking at our online forum this week, along with development partner Ken Dytor, Chair of Urban Catalyst, about the promise of £75 million of Housing Infrastructure Funding, to support the £1 billion regeneration of the Essex town, Purfleet on Thames.

The Chancellor announced the funding for the development in his budget last week.

Swan Housing Association and Urban Catalyst are creating a new riverside community in Purfleet-on-Thames, which will include a new 'media village' to support the UK's booming TV and film industry.

The town wants to become a leading creative hub and later phases of development will deliver a new university campus with a focus on health and the creative arts. Infrastructure is a vital part of the plan with new bridge over the railway, health centre, river wall and drainage.

A new town centre is also part of the plan, with shops and restaurants and up to 2,850 new homes and an orchard walk. Green links to Purfleet's Conservation Area are also being reinstated.

Councillor Gledhill stated:

'It is fantastic to see this project making progress. This is another significant milestone in our £1 billion scheme to deliver new infrastructure, a new town centre, health and education facilities and homes for our residents and will enable us to get vital infrastructure in place for this community.

'We are also bidding for up to £50 million from the government's Town Funding for regeneration in Grays and Tilbury and for our share of the £1 billion Future High Street fund for Grays.

'This is another huge step forward for Thurrock. The announcement of this government funding shows the confidence in us to deliver this nationally significant project that will improve a thriving community right here by the Thames in Thurrrock.'